Powers of Attorney and Deputyships
Lasting powers of Attorney
A time of illness or stress, whether physical or mental, can be difficult enough without the pressures of dealing with your obligations simultaneously. You may want to consider putting a power of attorney in place to protect yourself, your loved ones and your assets. Here at Randle Thomas, we are experienced in assisting you with preparing and registering lasting powers of attorney.
There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney: one for Property & Financial Affairs, which allows someone to deal with your financial matters, and one specifically for your Health & Welfare, which enables someone to make decisions about health matters and speak for you to medical professionals. A power of attorney can be as important as a Will in protecting yourself against emotional and financial problems that may arise.
Sadly it is not only the old or infirm who may need to consider the preparation of a power of attorney. Unexpected illnesses or accidents such as a head injury may impair mental capacity, and a power of attorney can be of much comfort, allowing your attorneys to bear the strain of dealing with your commitments for you.
On occasions, preparation of a power of attorney is no longer possible, and if one has not been prepared and registered before the loss of capacity, a Court of Protection deputyship may be the only recourse you will have.
Court of Protection Deputyships
We understand the stress on family and friends caring for a loved one who is losing their mental capacity and can no longer manage their property or financial affairs. There may also be urgent matters that need to be attended to, which may not be possible if no power of attorney has been completed.
An application may need to be made to the Court of Protection for someone to be appointed as that person’s Deputy so that they can manage matters which are pressing or take over on an ongoing basis.
We are also here to help obtain a court of Protection Order to deal with a specific mental health or personal welfare issue that has become pressing.
At Randle Thomas, we have experience steering families through the complex forms and procedures attendant upon obtaining a Court of Protection Order and becoming a Deputy, including making an emergency order where urgent matters need to be dealt with, such as selling a house.
Fees
Registration of an Enduring Power of Attorney. £350.00 plus VAT
An enduring power of attorney (EPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust (your attorney) to make decisions about your property, money, and financial affairs if you ever lose the ability to do so yourself. This could happen if you have an accident or illness that affects your mental capacity. An EPA must be registered with the government.
Lasting Power of Attorney – Health and Welfare. £350.00 plus VAT
A health and welfare lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust (your attorney) to make decisions about your health and personal care if you ever lose the ability to do so yourself. This could happen if you have an accident or illness that affects your mental capacity.
Lasting Power of Attorney – Financial Affairs. £350.00 plus VAT
A financial lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust (your attorney) to make decisions about your property, money, and financial affairs if you ever lose the ability to do so yourself. This could happen if you have an accident or illness that affects your mental capacity.
Dual Lasting Power of Attorney. £650.00 plus VAT
When someone has both a financial LPA and a health and welfare LPA, it means that they have appointed someone they trust to make decisions about both their financial affairs and their health and personal care if they ever lose the ability to do so themselves.
This is a common arrangement, as it allows the person to have one set of attorneys who are familiar with their wishes and can make decisions that are in their best interests across all areas of their life.
Couples Single Lasting Power of Attorney. £650.00 plus VAT
One lasting power of attorney each for financial or health and social matters.
Couples Dual Lasting Power of Attorney. £1200.00 plus VAT
Both lasting power of attorneys for a couple.